Introduction
Project Area: Computer Science Education, E-learning and Human-Computer Interaction
Description: The student will undertake a project that investigates an aspect within any of the above fields. The type of project could be a research project and/or a programming project.
Objective (programming project): The objective of this type of project would be to exercise the student in the full software development life cycle / process from the initial requirements analysis to the final implementation of a software product. The relevant project documentation for the various stages of the development process will have to be completed as well. Assessment is done in terms of the written document and oral presentations.
Objective (research project): The objective of this type of project would be to demonstrate research proficiency within an aspect of the above mentioned research fields. The work product would be a reasonably sized written document, which applies or extends what the student has learned in earlier courses or about a subject matter that the student wishes to pursue in further studies. Assessment is done in terms of the written document and oral presentations.
Software Tools: Typical software tools/programming languages or technologies that could be used in the construction of a system may be one or more of the following: Java, C++, VB, Perl, CGI, XML, Web Servers (PWS, IIS, Apache, etc), MS SQL Server, Database (Access, SQL, ADO, ODBC, RDS, etc), ASP, HTML, DHTML, ActiveX, PHP and scripting languages such as VBScript, JavaScript, etc.
Deliverables: The deliverables for each term are as indicated on the CS Website.
How to decide on a project topic
This following should be thought of mainly as a guide to the kinds of projects that may be undertaken and as a useful starting point in the search for an appropriate project topic. Students are strongly encouraged to search for projects that will suit their interest.
Some of the Honours students of 2004 – 2007 designed their projects using open source software development tools. This was done in order to align their work with the Free Software Innovation Unit (FSIU)’s Chisimba framework and/or an open source web based learning environment developed at UWC called Next Generation (KEWL). The students were able to discuss their ideas with FSIU developers during the design phase of their projects (a similar collaboration is envisaged for 2009).
Collaboration with other universities is possible:
- The Stellenbosch Department of Genetics (they proposed some projects) and
- The University of Oslo. If you choose to collaborate with Oslo University you can apply to visit Norway in the second semester of you studies.
The following web-sites lists some general ideas for Honours projects :
- A ‘Project Guidance’ website.
- http://www.projectguidance.com/
- According to the site: ‘Project Guidance’ is a user driven educational content website dedicated to finding and realizing final year projects for students, developer’s and others in Electronics and Computer projects category . Here you can post, search, find your projects and get guidance from experts round the globe. (see http://www.projectguidance.com/general/aboutus )
- An Australian university website that lists previous projects
- Our own website:
- http://www.cs.uwc.ac.za/index.php/Honours-Students/Previous.html
- Here you can see what projects students’ attempted in previous years.